Review

With 2014 almost in the books, this is the time of year that many people review the past 12 months - looking for what was the "most popular" or what "trended" over the past year. Whole industries have been built around year-end reviews of the most-popular music, movies, and celebrities.

There is a sex scene in '300: Rise of an Empire' that is an all-timer. Put it right up there on the shelf next to 'Don't Look Now,' 'A History of Violence,' 'Blue is the Warmest Color,' '9 ½ Weeks' and any of the others that make those best-of lists. Actually, put next to that insanity in the pool from 'Showgirls' (you know, with the dolphin statue?), because there's a level of playful absurdity that changes it from a representation of love (or, more accurately, lust) to something of a Broadway choreographer's interpretation of a fight. Like a 'West Side Story' rumble, but with Eva Green moaning and bent over a table with maps and war figurines. A rise of an empire, indeed.

Watching Kimberly Peirce's 'Carrie' is an odd experience. If you've seen Brian De Palma's version from 1976, this new version is - and there's really no point in denying this - like watching a cover band. There's a tweaked scene here and there (including a new, creepy-as-heck opening) plus the addition of cell phones and references to 'Dancing With The Stars.' This remake, more than most, really feels like hitting the same marks. It may be a peculiarity specific to 'Carrie,' because, let's face it, not a whole heck of a lot happens in this story. Considering most moviegoers' familiarity, there's plenty of room to stew and think, "Why is this considered such a classic?"

I first met Rod Stewart shortly after he released "Maggie May." I was standing behind the stage watching his warm up act, when I heard conversation going on behind me. I turned around and Rod was standing directly behind me, with two drop dead gorgeous girls, one on each arm. "Hey mate" he said, and we had a short conversation. I asked him for an autograph but neither of us had anything to write on. One of his girls produced a matchbook and pen from her bag, and he signed it. "Enjoy the show" he said as he climbed the stairs to the stage. I still have the matchbook.

With his autobiography coming out tomorrow, I thought I'd touch a few topics that caught my fancy.

Joe Walsh has been a good friend to country music over the last five years, frequently appearing on tracks from artists like Kenny Chesney and Kix Brooks, and jamming with Brad Paisley at award ceremonies. Now Nashville is returning the favor, helping Walsh cut his first country single.

Big Brother & The Holding Company were an established rock band prior to Janis Joplin fronting them, and in June of 1966 when she auditioned for the band, things didn’t gel instantly.

Joplin’s gritty blues vocal seemed to clash with the heavy, psychedelic, free form tendencies of the group. Still, Joplin quickly adapted and once she got the hang of what Big Brother expected the lil’ gal from Texas blossomed, elevating herself and the band to a new intergalactic dimension.

An Olive Garden recently opened in Grand Forks, ND, and according to the Grand Forks Herald’s 85-year-old restaurant reviewer Marilyn Hagerty, it had become the talk of the town.

So, being a good journalist, Hagerty wrote a review of it. Almost immediately after her article was posted to the Herald’s website, it started to get an unusual number of hits, and quickly became the most read article on the site by a large margin.

I use Google+ and like it. It's more selective, and I like that too. Is is better than Facebook? Yes and no. At this point, Facebook is better for business purposes, but Google+ (for me anyway) is better for personal use.

I've loved the Stones since day one. While others kids were "gaga" over the Beatles, I went the other way with the Stones. I loved the "coolness" of the Stones... a smile every now and then, maybe, but that's it..

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